====== xiōng yǒu chéng zhú: 胸有成竹 - To have a well-thought-out plan; Confident and prepared ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** xiongyouchengzhu, 胸有成竹, Chinese idiom, chengyu, meaning of xiongyouchengzhu, how to use xiongyouchengzhu, confident, prepared, have a plan, Chinese culture, Song Dynasty story, Wen Tong bamboo painting
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of the Chinese idiom (chengyu) **胸有成竹 (xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)**, which literally translates to "a completed bamboo in the chest." This page explains how it describes a state of profound confidence that comes from thorough preparation and having a clear plan in mind before starting a task. Learn its cultural origins from a famous Song Dynasty painter, how to use it in modern conversation and business, and see practical examples to master this essential term for expressing preparedness in Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiōng yǒu chéng zhú
  * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; often functions as an adjective or adverb.
  * **HSK Level:** Advanced / HSK 7-9
  * **Concise Definition:** To have a complete and well-thought-out plan in one's mind before taking action, thus feeling confident about the outcome.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine you're an artist about to paint a bamboo stalk. Instead of just starting, you have already visualized the entire, perfect painting in your mind's eye. You know every leaf, every segment of the stalk. This is the feeling of **胸有成竹**. It’s not just "having a plan"; it's a deep, internalized confidence born from complete preparation and a clear mental picture of success.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **胸 (xiōng):** Chest; bosom. In classical Chinese, it's also a metaphor for the heart or mind, the seat of one's thoughts and feelings.
  * **有 (yǒu):** To have; to possess; there is.
  * **成 (chéng):** Completed; formed; finished; accomplished.
  * **竹 (zhú):** Bamboo.
  * The characters literally combine to mean "in the chest, there is a completed bamboo." This vivid metaphor means that the plan or a vision of the final result is already fully formed in one's mind before the work has even begun.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * The idiom originates from a story about the famous Song Dynasty painter, Wen Tong (文同). He was so renowned for his lifelike paintings of bamboo that people flocked to request his art. His secret was that he spent years observing bamboo in all seasons and weather conditions. He understood its structure, growth, and spirit so deeply that before he even picked up his brush, he had a perfect image of the finished painting fully formed in his mind (his "chest"). He was simply "transferring" the bamboo from his chest onto the paper.
  * **Cultural Value:** This story highlights the Chinese cultural values of **meticulous preparation (准备 - zhǔnbèi)**, **mastery through practice (熟能生巧 - shú néng shēng qiǎo)**, and the philosophical connection between internal clarity and external success. It suggests that true confidence isn't arrogance, but a quiet assurance that comes from doing the hard work beforehand.
  * **Western Comparison:** This concept is much deeper than the Western phrase "to have a game plan." A game plan can be a document you refer to. **胸有成竹** implies the plan is so internalized it has become part of you. It's the opposite of "winging it" or "playing it by ear," which often imply improvisation. 胸有成竹 is confidence rooted in the *elimination* of the need for improvisation.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **胸有成竹** is a common and highly positive idiom used to praise someone's preparedness or to express one's own confidence.
  * **In Business:** When a colleague is about to give a major presentation, you might say, "看他那么自信，肯定是胸有成竹了" (Kàn tā nàme zìxìn, kěndìng shì xiōng yǒu chéng zhú le) - "Look how confident he is; he must be fully prepared."
  * **In Academics:** A student who has studied diligently for a final exam can be described as **胸有成竹** about getting a good grade.
  * **In Conversation:** It's used to describe anyone who approaches a complex task (like cooking a feast, leading a project, or navigating a difficult negotiation) with a calm, assured demeanor that signals they've already thought through all the steps. It is generally formal but can be used among friends in a complimentary way.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 考试前他复习得很充分，走进考场时**胸有成竹**。
    * Pinyin: Kǎoshì qián tā fùxí de hěn chōngfèn, zǒu jìn kǎochǎng shí **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú**.
    * English: He had reviewed thoroughly before the exam, so he walked into the examination hall full of confidence.
    * Analysis: This is a classic usage. The confidence (**胸有成竹**) is a direct result of the preparation (复习得很充分 - fùxí de hěn chōngfèn).
  * **Example 2:**
    * 看到项目经理**胸有成竹**的样子，我们都对这个项目充满了信心。
    * Pinyin: Kàndào xiàngmù jīnglǐ **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú** de yàngzi, wǒmen dōu duì zhège xiàngmù chōngmǎnle xìnxīn.
    * English: Seeing the project manager's confident and prepared appearance, we all became full of confidence in this project.
    * Analysis: Here, the idiom is used adjectivally with 的样子 (de yàngzi) to describe someone's demeanor. His confidence is contagious.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这次谈判，我们准备了好几个月，可以说已经是**胸有成竹**了。
    * Pinyin: Zhècì tánpàn, wǒmen zhǔnbèile hǎo jǐ gè yuè, kěyǐ shuō yǐjīng shì **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú** le.
    * English: For this negotiation, we've prepared for several months; you could say we are already well-prepared and confident.
    * Analysis: This example explicitly links the long preparation time to the state of being 胸有成竹.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 你先别急，让我好好想一想，等我**胸有成竹**了再开始动工。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xiān bié jí, ràng wǒ hǎohǎo xiǎng yī xiǎng, děng wǒ **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú** le zài kāishǐ dònggōng.
    * English: Don't rush me; let me think it over carefully. I'll start the work once I have a clear plan.
    * Analysis: This shows the idiom used as a condition. The action (动工 - dònggōng) will only begin after the state of 胸有成竹 is achieved.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这位大厨做菜时气定神闲，显然对每个步骤都**胸有成竹**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè wèi dàchú zuò cài shí qì dìng shén xián, xiǎnrán duì měi gè bùzhòu dōu **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú**.
    * English: This master chef is calm and composed when cooking, obviously having a complete grasp of every step.
    * Analysis: This connects the idiom to the observable effect of being calm and composed (气定神闲 - qì dìng shén xián).
  * **Example 6:**
    * 对于明天的演讲，她**胸有成竹**地笑了笑。
    * Pinyin: Duìyú míngtiān de yǎnjiǎng, tā **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú** de xiàole xiào.
    * English: Regarding tomorrow's speech, she gave a confident smile.
    * Analysis: Here, 胸有成竹 functions as an adverb, modifying the verb "to smile" (笑). The 地 (de) particle marks it as an adverbial phrase.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 如果没有**胸有成竹**的把握，他就不会轻易答应这个挑战。
    * Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú** de bǎwò, tā jiù bù huì qīngyì dāyìng zhège tiǎozhàn.
    * English: If he wasn't absolutely certain of success, he wouldn't have easily accepted this challenge.
    * Analysis: This example pairs 胸有成竹 with 把握 (bǎwò - assurance, certainty) to emphasize the high degree of confidence required.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 作为律师，在上庭前必须对案子的所有细节都**胸有成竹**。
    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi lǜshī, zài shàngtíng qián bìxū duì ànzi de suǒyǒu xìjié dōu **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú**.
    * English: As a lawyer, before going to court, you must have a perfect command of all the details of the case.
    * Analysis: This highlights the professional necessity of being 胸有成竹. It's not optional; it's a requirement for success.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他对自己的计划并非**胸有成竹**，说话时有些犹豫。
    * Pinyin: Tā duì zìjǐ de jìhuà bìngfēi **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú**, shuōhuà shí yǒuxiē yóuyù.
    * English: He was not entirely confident about his plan, and he hesitated a bit when speaking.
    * Analysis: This is a negative example, using 并非 (bìngfēi - is not) to show the *absence* of preparedness, which is revealed through his hesitation (犹豫 - yóuyù).
  * **Example 10:**
    * 放心吧，这次活动我来安排，保证**胸有成竹**！
    * Pinyin: Fàngxīn ba, zhècì huódòng wǒ lái ānpái, bǎozhèng **xiōng yǒu chéng zhú**!
    * English: Don't worry, I'll arrange this event. I guarantee I've got it all planned out!
    * Analysis: A more informal and reassuring use of the idiom. The speaker is using it to build trust and calm others' anxieties.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Preparation is Key:** The most common mistake is to confuse **胸有成竹** with simple "confidence" (自信 - zìxìn). A person can be confident for no good reason (i.e., arrogant or naive). **胸有成竹** specifically means confidence that is **earned through thorough preparation and planning**.
    * **Incorrect:** 他从不学习，但每次考试他都说自己胸有成竹。 (Tā cóngbù xuéxí, dàn měi cì kǎoshì tā dōu shuō zìjǐ xiōng yǒu chéng zhú.) - "He never studies, but he always says he's fully prepared for every exam."
    * **Why it's wrong:** This is a contradiction. The lack of preparation (从不学习) makes the claim of being 胸有成竹 illogical and unbelievable.
  * **Not Just a "Plan":** While it involves a plan, the feeling is deeper. "I have a plan" (我有一个计划 - wǒ yǒu yí ge jìhuà) is a simple statement of fact. **胸有成竹** describes the mental and emotional state of clarity and assurance that comes from that plan. It's about the mastery *of* the plan.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[心中有数]] (xīn zhōng yǒu shù):** A very close synonym. "To have numbers in one's heart/mind." It means to be well-aware of a situation, to have a good grasp of the facts. It's slightly less focused on a pre-planned creative or procedural outcome than 胸有成竹.
  * **[[稳操胜券]] (wěn cāo shèng quàn):** "To hold the winning ticket securely." A synonym that strongly emphasizes the certainty of victory, often used in competitive situations like sports or business takeovers.
  * **[[得心应手]] (dé xīn yìng shǒu):** "What the heart wishes, the hand achieves." Describes the state of performing a task with masterful ease and fluency. This is often the *result* of being 胸有成竹 beforehand.
  * **[[成竹在胸]] (chéng zhú zài xiōng):** A common structural variant of the idiom, with exactly the same meaning.
  * **[[运筹帷幄]] (yùn chóu wéi wò):** "To strategize within a command tent." Refers to high-level strategic planning, often for military, political, or large-scale business campaigns. It's more about the planning process, while 胸有成竹 is about the resulting state of confidence.
  * **[[临时抱佛脚]] (lín shí bào fó jiǎo):** An antonymous concept. "To clasp the Buddha's feet only at the last moment." It means to cram or make a desperate, last-minute effort when it's too late. It is the polar opposite of the preparation implied by 胸有成竹.
  * **[[一无所知]] (yī wú suǒ zhī):** A direct antonym. "To know nothing at all." Describes a state of complete ignorance about a situation.